James Van Ness

Solar Design Management-Sales-Support-Manufacturer

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

Solar Energy Expert Witness | NABCEP PV Professional | Construction Defects | Product Liability | Engineering | Battery Energy Storage | Forensic Inspections | Renewable Energy James Van Ness is a renewable energy executive, electrical engineer, and NABCEP-certified solar professional with more than 35 years of engineering, construction, and executive leadership experience, including over 15 years specializing in the design, installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and forensic evaluation of residential and commercial solar energy systems. As Chief Operating Officer and Electrical License Holder for ACE Solar, LLC, Mr. Van Ness has directed every phase of solar photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and monitoring system projects—from engineering, permitting, financing, and construction through commissioning, operations, maintenance, warranty support, and forensic inspections. Today, ACE Solar continues to provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for orphaned and legacy solar energy systems throughout the Northeast and Florida. Throughout his career, Mr. Van Ness has partnered with many of the nation's largest solar companies, serving as an installation subcontractor, engineering resource, and technical consultant for BP Solar, Sunrun, Sungevity, SolarCity (now Tesla Energy), and other leading residential solar providers. He also works directly with solar manufacturers providing warranty service, technical support, inspections, and system remediation throughout the New York metropolitan area and Florida. This experience provides firsthand knowledge of industry installation practices, workmanship standards, quality assurance, contractor management, warranty administration, and the evolution of residential solar technologies. Expert Witness Experience: In 2024 and 2025, Mr. Van Ness was retained by defense counsel representing an international solar manufacturer in nationwide class action litigation. He conducted dozens of forensic inspections of residential solar energy systems across the United States, evaluating installation quality, workmanship, system performance, component failures, code compliance, causation, and damages. His findings supported the defense of complex product liability and installation defect claims. Mr. Van Ness also provides expert witness consulting, forensic inspections, engineering evaluations, insurance investigations, risk management consulting, and repair consulting involving residential and commercial solar energy systems. He has provided testimony before zoning and planning boards and has experience preparing expert opinions and providing deposition testimony. Between 2011 and 2013, he established and operated an in-house solar training program, personally training ACE Solar installers and outside professionals preparing for NABCEP certification. AREAS of EXPERTISE: • Residential Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems • Commercial Solar PV Systems • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) • Solar Thermal Systems • Solar Design & Engineering • Solar Installation Standards • Construction Defects • Product Liability • Forensic Engineering Inspections • Engineering Standard of Care • System Performance Analysis • Component Failure Analysis • National Electrical Code (NEC) Compliance • Project Management • Contractor Performance • Warranty Administration • Operations & Maintenance (O&M) • Risk Management • Insurance Claims • Solar Sales Practices • Solar Financing • Renewable Energy Operations TYPES of MATTERS: • Solar Installation Defects • Construction Defects • Product Liability • Engineering Negligence • Contractor Standard of Care • System Performance Failures • Roof Penetrations & Water Intrusion • Electrical Failures • Fire Origin Investigations • Component Failures • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) • Warranty Disputes • Code Compliance • Property Damage • Insurance Claims • Sales and Finance Litigation • Forensic Site Inspections